April 08, 2009  El Paso, Texas
CBP Agents seize 9,084 pounds of marijuana from a commercial shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 9,084 pounds of marijuana in a single bust on April 8, 2009. The drugs were hidden in a commercial shipment of auto parts.

The seizure occurred shortly before noon at the commercial cargo facility at the Ysleta international crossing. A CBP officer referred for enhanced screening a 1995 GMC tractor that had entered the bridge through the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lane hauling a 1999 Utility trailer laden with a shipment of auto parts. A scan showed anomalies within the shipment causing CBP officers to conduct an intensive search that revealed bundles commingled with the shipment of auto parts. CBP officers removed 6,640 bundles containing a total of 9,084 pounds of marijuana from the trailer.The driver of the truck had his FAST crossing privileges revoked. No arrests were made at the time, and the investigation is continuing. The FAST program is designed to ensure security and safety of trans-border commercial shipments at selected cargo ports of entry. Eligibility for the FAST program requires participants (carriers, drivers, importers and southern border manufactures) to submit an application, agreement and security profile. The FAST program allows known low risk commercial cargo shipments to received expedited border processing at cargo ports.

In addition to the previously mentioned seizure, CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry recorded five more drug busts on April 6, seizing an additional 1,335 pounds of marijuana. The total for the day was 10,419 pounds of marijuana.

Source: US Customs and Border Protection